MEDIA-RELIGION: European Journalists Begin to Condemn Cartoons

A growing number of European journalists and political caricaturists are condemning the cartoons of Prophet Mohammed that have deepened the schism between Europe and the Muslim world.

SOCIETY: ‘Polygamy Could Supply More Russians’

Proposals to permit polygamy in order to reverse a declining population have raised a heated debate in Russia between Muslims who support it and Christian groups that oppose it.

ENVIRONMENT-SPAIN: Drink the Water, or Recycle It

Drastic restrictions and recycling plans for water that is not for human consumption will begin to be implemented in the Spanish capital, as the country faces another year of drought.

ICELAND: Environmentalists See Off Hydro Project

The Thjorsarver wetlands in South Iceland have been saved from the ravages of a hydro-electric scheme, at least for the foreseeable future.

BALKANS: On Different Roads to EU

All Balkans countries are headed for European Union membership, but they are taking different roads, and at differing pace.

RUSSIA: British Spies Rock NGOs

The unearthing of a rock-like transmitter planted by British spies on a Moscow street can have consequences for the funding of several non-governmental organisations.

FINLAND: Election Marks Ideological Crossroads

Finland goes to the polls for the second time in two weeks this Sunday to elect a new president.

HEALTH: Limited Hopes From Drugs Meet

A European Union meeting called this week to discuss how civil society can contribute to combating drugs is like "trying to build Rome in two days," campaigners say.

RUSSIA: NGO Law Could Strengthen Civil Society, Group Argues

Virtually all human rights groups have condemned Russia's new law governing non-governmental organisations, but the leader of one major NGO operating in the country disagrees.

RUSSIA: Jews Face Growing Attacks

Russia's Jewish community has asked Duma deputies to speed up a review of legislative bills that would provide tougher penalties for religious extremism.

BALKANS: Rugova’s Death Leaves a Complex Legacy

A stable future for Kosovo, the southern Serbian province that aspires for independence and hopes to reach it through United Nations sponsored talks, looks less certain after the death of its first president, Ibrahim Rugova.

DEVELOPMENT-EU: Parliament Urged to Get Policy ‘Back on Track’

Development groups are urging members of the European Parliament to accept proposals later this week that will put the European Union's development policy "back on track"..

FRANCE: Chirac’s Nuclear Threat Dismissed

French President Jacques Chirac's threat that France could use nuclear weapons to retaliate against terrorist attacks has provoked strong opposition.

SOCIETY: Peace Can Be a Lot of Fun in Belgrade

Young people from Croatia and Serbia are rapidly putting aside the hatred that tore the two apart into separate countries through the bloody wars of the 1990s.

DEVELOPMENT: NGOs Turn Up Pressure Against Water Privatisation

An alliance of development groups is challenging the European Union and developed countries over their plans to promote water privatisation in developing countries at a key international meeting later this year.

SPAIN: Credit Card Trail Leads to Child Porn Arrests

The arrests in Spain of 33 people, including a Catholic priest, for allegedly purchasing and distributing child pornography over the Internet has highlighted the need to step up joint international efforts to combat this crime.

ENVIRONMENT: Where Europeans Are Still in the Dark

Fifty-seven-year-old Mihai Petre has lived with the dark and cold much of his life. For years now he has been trying to get a loan to buy a generator for his house, but no bank has wanted to advance him a loan.

MIGRATION: Illegal But Integral to Economy

British economy and its public services will collapse without immigrants who have entered the country illegally, leading experts say.

RUSSIA: Suspicions Fall on NGOs

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made two accusations against non-governmental organisations: money laundering and provoking political rebellion. Human rights commissioner Vladimir Lukin and federal security director Nikolay Patrushev have added a third: providing professional cover for espionage.

RELIGION-RUSSIA: Muslims Demand a Place on the Flag

A new dispute has erupted over demands by some Muslim groups to remove Christian signs from the Russian flag and other national emblems.

BALKANS: At Least the Army Unites

An army has ceased to exist, another is born, and with it, hope.